„It can be truly said
of Adelaide di Borgogna that, like a rose, it bloomed but a day -
l’espace d’un matin.” First performed in Rome on
the 27th December 1817, it enjoyed very few revivals. In 2011 the
Rossini Festival in Pesaro presented the second staged performance
of Adelaide di Borgogna since 1825.

The story of the opera was
taken from a historical event that took place in the medieval
period, marking the end of an independent Italian kingdom and
leading to the birth of the German Holy Roman Empire through the
efforts of Otto I of Saxony. Caught between political rivalry and
the love of two men, Adelaide of Burgundy struggles to fight for
her people and chooses Otto, the better ruler, for herself and her
kingdom.

Adelaide stars sought-after mezzo
Daniela Barcellona as Ottone, young Australian soprano Jessica
Pratt, who possesses a natural-born bel canto voice, in the role of
Adelaide, and Bogdan Mihai gives proof of his versatile
coloratura-tenor. Director Pier’ Alli devised a modern,
stylish look for his production, which interweaves medieval aspects
with ironically used elements from the time of the opera’s
genesis. His video installations create a beautifully abstract
world for Rossini’s colourful music.

“Applauded were above
all the protagonists of the bel canto: Daniela Barcellona as Otto
the Great, Jessica Pratt as Adelaide.”